Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-12-03
TRAINS WRECKED.
Four Trains Meet Between Butte and
Silver BoW-A Series of Aeci-
dents-Sam Words Mar
row Escape.

BUTTE, November 30.-There was a
triple train collision yesterday morning
between Butte and Silver Bow. The An
aconda ore train broke in two near Rock
er. The Helena passenger train was COM
ing short distance behind but managed
to stop before running into the ore train.
Another train, a heavy freight, was also
on the road from the Butte depot. Aman
went back to flag, but it had approached
so near it was impossible to stop on the
icy rails. Conductor West rushed into the
passenger car and shouted to those on
board to jump, which they did. The
freight locomotive crashed half way into
the passenger coach, raising it On top of
the engine. While trying to straighten
out matters another train came along and
wrecked the caboose of the first train.
Several train men We're slightly injured,
conductor Minty being the worst hurt, he
having his nose broken and bad bruises
about the head and shoulders. The freight
engine has her spine hurt. The wreck
has now been cleared away. Sam Word,
attorney for the Union Pacific was inter
viewed regarding the catastrophe. "Well,'
said he, II don't care to talk about this
business have got two black eyes, and
feel paralyzed all over my left side. If
you want pointers 60 to the train boy. He
is member of the Young Mems Christian
Association, and will tell you the truth.
| feel ugly" After persistent urging,
however, Mr. Word said: sit was almost
miracle, but all there is about it is that
| was a passenger on the Montana Union
train that left Butte at 30 this morning.
We got down about as far as Blue Bird
mill when the engineer discovered that
the Anaconda freight was on the track,
and subsequent investigation showed that
also wheel was of the track. We stop
ped and brakeman was sent back to flag
the Utah Northern freight which was due
in a few minutes. As luck would have 1t
dense fog and smelter smoke prevailed
at the time and the engineer of the freight
did not discover the fagman until close
npon him. He at once sounded his whis-
tie and reversed his engine and seeing that
a collision could not be avoided, jumped
from the engine The conductor OF our
train was in the last car, andshearing the
scream of the approaching train made a
dive for the adjoiRing car followed by the
passengers, many of whom jumped from
the platform. / was in the next car and
in the act of seating myself. 1t was ter
ror. / shot down on Haldorn, another at
torney sitting opposite me; hit him on the
cheek but never phazed it; caromed ON the
supuert of the seat; knocked it out and
the next thing 1 knew, half dozen per-
sons were picking me up and caring for
me. Yes, it was a narrow escape. The
freight engine virtually split the rear pas
senger car in two, threw the stove clear to
the opposite end of the car and set it on
fire. It took hard work to extinguish the
flames. As soon as possible dispatch
was sent superintendent Dickinson who
started to our relief, meanwhile the
freirht locomotive started back to Butte
drawing with it the wrecked car. Certain
" in this matter due precautions were
used on both sides, but owing to the pre-
vailing fog and the slippery condition Of
the track, it was only by accident that
serious collision was averted."